Sneak previews of upcoming watch auctions are always a treat, so this writer RSVP’d “Yes!” to an invitation for the 8 June glimpse of Bonhams’ upcoming London sale. Taking place on 21 June, the auction’s stars include a number of period Breguet pocket watches and a “seriously rare Patek Philippe” Ref 5004P platinum manual wind split-second chronograph wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phase, Lot 60 with an estimated of £120,000-180,000. Rolex enthusiasts will keep an eye on Lot 152, a Comex Submariner estimated at £40,000-60,000, accompanied by a range of diving related material including rare photographs of the original diver-owner at work in the North Sea.
On the wrist of Jonathan Darracott, Global Head of Watches, was one of my favourites in the catalogue, a Patek Philippe Amagnetic in yellow gold, but in one of the showcases was an even tastier stainless steel version. Blessedly, I am not in any position to bid, so it’s one choice I won’t have to make.
Here are some of the pieces we were able to see, which leads me to an alert: If you’ve been hankering after a sport Heuer, especially an Autavia, or an Omega Seamaster 300, the are numerous examples of these hotter-than-hot watches on offer. And stick around for the last lot: a nicely patinated black-dial Rolex “Paul Newman” Cosmograph Ref 6262, with an estimate of £70,000-£90,000.
LOT 13
Breitling Stainless Steel Manual Wind Chronograph Wristwatch With 24 Hour Dial
Model: Unitime
Date: Circa 1969
£5,000 — 7,000
LOT 15
Rolex Stainless Steel Manual Wind Chronograph
Model: Cosmograph
Reference: 6263
Date: Circa 1974
£25,000 – 35,000
LOT 17
Omega Stainless Steel Manual Wind Chronograph
Model: Speedmaster ‘Ed White’
Reference: ST105.003-65
Date: Circa 1965
£6,000 – 8,000
LOT 25
Longines 18k Gold Manual Wind Single Button Chronograph
Date: Circa 1935
£5,000 – 7,000
LOT 30
Patek Philippe 18k Two Colour Gold Manual Wind Square Wristwatch With Concealed Dial
Model: Cabriolet
Reference: 5099RG-001
Date: Circa 2000
£4,000 – 6,000
LOT 32
Omega Stainless Steel Military Issue Automatic Centre Seconds Wristwatch
Model: Seamaster 300
Reference: 165.024
Date: Circa 1969
£25,000 – 35,000
LOT 35
Heuer Stainless Steel Automatic Calendar Chronograph
Model: Autavia ‘Jo Siffert’
Reference: 1163 T
Date: Circa 1972
£10,000 – 15,000
LOT 36
Heuer Stainless Steel Automatic Calendar Chronograph
Model: Autavia
Reference: 1163V
Date: Sold 16th July 1977
£4,000 – 6,000
LOT 42
Heuer Stainless Steel Manual Wind Chronograph
Model: Autavia
Reference: 2446
Date: Circa 1966
£10,000 – 15,000
LOT 106
Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Manual Wind Anti-Magnetic Wristwatch
Model: Amagnetic
Reference: 3417
Date: Soid 5th January 1963
£30,000 – 40,000
LOT 116
Blancpain 18k Rose Gold Automatic Semi-Skeletonised Tourbillon Calendar Wristwatch With 8 Day Power Reserve
Model: Léman, Edition No.10/50
Date: Recent
£35,000 – 45,000
LOT 124
Heuer Stainless Steel Manual Wind Calendar Chronograph
Model: Skipper
Reference: 73463MH
Date: Circa 1972
£6,000 – 8,000
LOT 127
Heuer Stainless Steel Manual Wind Chronograph With Dual Time
Model: Autavia GMT
Reference: 2446C
Date: Circa 1970
£8,000 – 12,000
